New questions emerge in Hayden Panettiere's death probe

Questions surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death are growing as investigators work to piece together what happened inside the South Carolina home where the actress was found unresponsive.

Panettiere, 36, died on August 16 after emergency responders arrived to find her in cardiac arrest. 

According to police, her boyfriend Brian Hickerson administered Narcan and CPR was performed before help arrived.

However, sources familiar with the investigation claim authorities believe Panettiere had already died before the overdose-reversal medication was given.

“Investigators believe Hayden had already died before the Narcan was administered,” a police source told Rob Shutter. 

“This wasn’t a case where she was given Narcan and then died. By the time anyone tried to revive her, they believe she was already gone.”

Emergency crews reportedly began advanced life-support efforts when they arrived. Panettiere was formally pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

Her official cause and manner of death remain under investigation. 

Authorities have said their preliminary findings showed no signs of trauma, foul play or suspicious circumstances.

The timeline is now a key part of the investigation.

“Investigators are now trying to establish that timeline and determine exactly what happened in the hours before Hayden was discovered.”

Hickerson has not been accused of causing Panettiere’s death.

Still, investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding her final hours, including when she became unresponsive and what happened before emergency crews arrived.

For now, the biggest questions remain unanswered.